Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What county offers MS sports? I didn’t think this was offered in public schools in the DMV

Prince William County does.

Are you OP?

If your kid hasn't tried out for sports yet, you should know that in most PW middle schools, it's extremely competitive. A lot of really good players don't make the team.

No, I’m not OP. I was responding to someone who said no public schools in the DMV have middle school sports. There are indeed school systems with middle school sports…and I guess with track and cross country this year, so does FCPS!

Anonymous wrote:We are a two parent household, but both with inflexible, high demand jobs. It's stressful to add something new and it the uncertainty of how things will work out is hard. But, we have found that it does work out. Do you know your neighbors and the parents of your kids' friends? You really need to build relationships in your community, especially as your kids age and their activities get more intense.

Having your younger kids walk/ride the bus home is the solution here. You will only be missing them getting home by a few minutes, it sounds like. And once your older son sees which friends are in MS sport with him, see if you can set up a carpool with other parents in your neighborhood. Then you might only have to have your younger kids arrive home alone a couple days a week. For weekends, it's the same. You have to get to know the parents on your kids teams and you have to be willing to ask for help. Most people are more than willing for a single parent. For us, since we've decided to have demanding jobs that also pay alot, we outsource a lot of things instead of asking for favors, but I bet you don't have the disposable income to do tha.

OP is not a single parent.

I work and if I'm able to drive kids I do it even if I don't get "repaid". I grew up with a single mom so I know how hard it is.

That said--just because your kid wants to do something doesn't mean you have to change the world to make it happen. My dd wanted to do an activity that was 30+ min drive each way several days a week. We could have done it, yes; but it wouldn't have been good for our family for multiple reasons. We said no. It's okay for kids to hear no. It's GOOD for kids to not get what they want all the time.

We are a two parent household, but both with inflexible, high demand jobs. It's stressful to add something new and it the uncertainty of how things will work out is hard. But, we have found that it does work out. Do you know your neighbors and the parents of your kids' friends? You really need to build relationships in your community, especially as your kids age and their activities get more intense.

Having your younger kids walk/ride the bus home is the solution here. You will only be missing them getting home by a few minutes, it sounds like. And once your older son sees which friends are in MS sport with him, see if you can set up a carpool with other parents in your neighborhood. Then you might only have to have your younger kids arrive home alone a couple days a week. For weekends, it's the same. You have to get to know the parents on your kids teams and you have to be willing to ask for help. Most people are more than willing for a single parent. For us, since we've decided to have demanding jobs that also pay alot, we outsource a lot of things instead of asking for favors, but I bet you don't have the disposable income to do tha.

Anonymous wrote:Is this private school? There's no middle school that is public that I know of in the area that provides MS sports that are 5 times a week. If this is private school you can afford a nanny or driver.

Arlington has middle school sports. I can't remember if they were 5 days a week. Maybe 3 or 4, but I don't think it's unheard of to have practice or a game 5 days a week. The seasons are short.

OP: is there no late activity bus? Arlington offers one and it may be inconvenient because the stops may be far from where you live, but it's an option

A carpool with a close neighbor if you can? You can always reciprocate another way. Like hosting their kid on weekends or whatever. If a kid lives near me I don’t care if it’s not equal as long as the parent is appreciative and actually has a reason like you do, not just laziness

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well it seems you simply can't manage the logistics. Not all parents can, nothing to be ashamed of.

But how do working parents do it? That’s not a rhetorical question.

I barely make it to pick up my youngest kids at 4:25 when they get out. These away games start at 4! And now they are saying practice ends at 4:30 and pickup needs to be prompt? At 4:30 I’m barely out of the elementary school parking lot loop!

For away games don’t you just need to be there by the end?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well it seems you simply can't manage the logistics. Not all parents can, nothing to be ashamed of.

But how do working parents do it? That’s not a rhetorical question.

I barely make it to pick up my youngest kids at 4:25 when they get out. These away games start at 4! And now they are saying practice ends at 4:30 and pickup needs to be prompt? At 4:30 I’m barely out of the elementary school parking lot loop!

I work and my child could not participate in after school MS sports until he could take public transportation. It's a long walk to the bus and a long walk back too.
You're not the only one in this situation and your child does not "have" to do MS sports.

Very much this. This board is skewed toward people who think sports is the most important thing in life. If you cannot arrange to pay for transport or get rides, your next best option is to explain your situation to yhe coach or athletic coordinator. They may help, or they may not. worst case your kid has to drop from the team. Sorry, but there are other activities he can do.

My kid couldn't participate because I wasn't able to get them to practice and it was just me. Single parenting sucks sometimes.

OP, I am sorry that some are giving you a hard time.
I grew up in a military community and people were incredibly understanding and helpful in similar circumstances. Consider asking for help if you need it from another parent. I would certainly do my best to assist.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When you say no transportation, do you mean to games? Our MS coach arranged carpools. A few parents went to every game. I never had to drive. And only about 1/2 the parents attended games as many were working in the afternoons so there’s no pressure to do it all.

I feel so bad asking someone to drive when I know I can’t repay the favor!

I am a single parent who happens to have a work schedule, and an age spread of my kids that lets me go to my kids' games. I would happily drive a friend who needed a ride. I wouldn't need to be repaid.

+1 I have an only child and actually love driving other kids to practice or taking them places when I’m off work (school schedule) some of them never reciprocate and I don’t mind at all!

+2. Also have an only and a flex schedule and I never mind adding another kid to my car who needs a ride. Some of their parents can’t reciprocate and I never mind.

It’s the joy of having more kids but they are returnable!

Lol, yes exactly! Plus if you just sit and listen, you get to listen in on some fascinating conversations!!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When you say no transportation, do you mean to games? Our MS coach arranged carpools. A few parents went to every game. I never had to drive. And only about 1/2 the parents attended games as many were working in the afternoons so there’s no pressure to do it all.

I feel so bad asking someone to drive when I know I can’t repay the favor!

I am a single parent who happens to have a work schedule, and an age spread of my kids that lets me go to my kids' games. I would happily drive a friend who needed a ride. I wouldn't need to be repaid.

+1 I have an only child and actually love driving other kids to practice or taking them places when I’m off work (school schedule) some of them never reciprocate and I don’t mind at all!

+2. Also have an only and a flex schedule and I never mind adding another kid to my car who needs a ride. Some of their parents can’t reciprocate and I never mind.

It’s the joy of having more kids but they are returnable!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When you say no transportation, do you mean to games? Our MS coach arranged carpools. A few parents went to every game. I never had to drive. And only about 1/2 the parents attended games as many were working in the afternoons so there’s no pressure to do it all.

I feel so bad asking someone to drive when I know I can’t repay the favor!

I am a single parent who happens to have a work schedule, and an age spread of my kids that lets me go to my kids' games. I would happily drive a friend who needed a ride. I wouldn't need to be repaid.

+1 I have an only child and actually love driving other kids to practice or taking them places when I’m off work (school schedule) some of them never reciprocate and I don’t mind at all!

+2. Also have an only and a flex schedule and I never mind adding another kid to my car who needs a ride. Some of their parents can’t reciprocate and I never mind.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well it seems you simply can't manage the logistics. Not all parents can, nothing to be ashamed of.

But how do working parents do it? That’s not a rhetorical question.

I barely make it to pick up my youngest kids at 4:25 when they get out. These away games start at 4! And now they are saying practice ends at 4:30 and pickup needs to be prompt? At 4:30 I’m barely out of the elementary school parking lot loop!

How old are your younger kids? Can they ride the bus home and get themselves in the house? Although depending on the length of the bus ride, you may beat them home.

For your other question of how parents do it, I worked a FT, 8:30 to 5:00 in office job from when my kids were born to around late ES. Then I transitioned to a more flexible job without required office hours. I hate to tell you, but it just gets worse with high school sports.

Your other option is to find either an afternoon nanny for the younger kids or driver for your MS kid.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When you say no transportation, do you mean to games? Our MS coach arranged carpools. A few parents went to every game. I never had to drive. And only about 1/2 the parents attended games as many were working in the afternoons so there’s no pressure to do it all.

I feel so bad asking someone to drive when I know I can’t repay the favor!

I am a single parent who happens to have a work schedule, and an age spread of my kids that lets me go to my kids' games. I would happily drive a friend who needed a ride. I wouldn't need to be repaid.

+1 I have an only child and actually love driving other kids to practice or taking them places when I’m off work (school schedule) some of them never reciprocate and I don’t mind at all!